Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: Its Less Cooling Requirement Makes Pfizer’s Biggest Weakness

Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine, according to reports, has one big weakness, and that's the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA-1273.

A The Motley Fool. report specified that Pfizer and Moderna had been close rivals when it comes to the battle against COVID-19 ever since they announced the beginning of their Phase 3 vaccine trials on the very same day in July last year. However, Pfizer edge ahead on the way to the finish line.

The big pharmaceutical firm scored the first emergency use authorization, or EUA from the Food and Drug Administration, for a COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020.

Despite this, Moderna did was not left far behind. The COVID-19 vaccine of this small biotech firm earned its EUA only one week after.

Since both companies earned the EUA from the FDA, this report said, they have continued competing "largely in tandem."

To date, about 49 million Americans had received both doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which had the code name BNT162b2 when it was developed, and now labeled Comirnaty.

40 million Americans, on the other hand, have fully received their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which still carries the name mRNA-1273.

Both firms are working as well on booster shots and carrying out the essential clinical studies that will enable them to begin vaccinating children and teens.

Moderna vs. Pfizer-BioNTech

Both Moderna and Pfizer developed mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. They use messenger RNA or mRNA to induce the body to generate a key protein that exists on the surface of the coronavirus.

Then, the immune system creates antibodies that recognize that particular protein, thus preparing the body to combat the virus.

Nevertheless, their vaccines are not the same or alike. One of the big differences from the beginning, hs been their requirements for storage temperature. And that, this report said, is where the weakness of Pfizer lies.

For extended periods, Comirnaty needs to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, between minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit and negative 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially, this vaccine needs to be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures for five days.

Meanwhile, the mRNA-1273 vaccine of Moderna has provided an easier storage requirement from the beginning. At present, the guidelines say it can be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures of 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit to 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit for as long as one month.

More so, it can be kept for as long as seven months in a standard or regular freezer. However, this week, Moderna announced a further study that showed that its mRNA-1273 could be safely maintained at refrigerator temperatures for a maximum of three months. This new finding has still yet to be approved by the FDA.

At present, Moderna is studying new formulations as well as its COVID-19 vaccine that would further enhance its storage profile.

Moderna's Edge

The possibility that the COVID-19 vaccine could be kept for as long as three months in a regular or standard refrigerator could provide it an even bigger edge in the marketplace.

Pfizer may have guaranteed the safe transport of its COVID-19 vaccine with the special thermal containers. However, in smaller healthcare backgrounds, the big challenge is on-site storage.

A lot of doctors' clinics and pharmacies today may opt to stock up on a vaccine that can be stored in a refrigerator for longer periods. They may either have limited space or no space at all for a freezer.

Furthermore, in some nations, temperature requirements could be conclusive in terms of which vaccine health care providers and governments choose.

For example, the Nigerian government already said earlier this year, it would opt for the vaccines that would necessitate less cooling.

A related report is shown on ABC News's YouTube Video Below:

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 and Vaccines on Science Times.